INEC Rejects Recall Petition Against Senator Natasha Akpoti For The Second Time

INEC Stands Firm: Natasha Akpoti’s Recall Petition Falls Short Again

Naija News has learned that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has once again rejected the recall petition targeting Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, who represents the Kogi Central Senatorial District. This decision comes after a thorough evaluation of the signatures and thumbprints submitted by petitioners, which failed to meet the constitutional threshold.

This significant development was disclosed by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, during a press briefing following the Commission’s regular weekly meeting. The verdict marks the second time the petition against Senator Akpoti has been dismissed due to insufficient support.

Why the Recall Failed: The Numbers Don’t Add Up

According to Olumekun, the rejection stems from the verification of the signatures and thumbprints forwarded with the petition. The Commission found that only 43.86% of registered voters supported the recall effort, far short of the more than 50% required under Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

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To break it down, the total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District stands at 474,554. For a recall to proceed, the law mandates signatures from more than half of these voters—specifically, at least 237,278 individuals. However, the Commission verified only 208,132 signatures/thumbprints, leaving the petition 29,146 signatories short of the constitutional requirement.

INEC’s Commitment to Fairness and Transparency

Olumekun emphasized INEC’s dedication to fairness and adherence to the law throughout the recall process. He assured Nigerians that the Commission would handle the matter impartially and in strict compliance with both the law and its Regulations and Guidelines.

“We took great care to ensure every step of the process was transparent and followed the rules,” Olumekun stated. “The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e., 50% + 1) is 237,277 + 1, which equals at least 237,278 voters. Unfortunately, the petition fell short of this number, and as such, no further action will be taken on the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti.”

INEC’s Public Notice and Next Steps

In line with Clause 2(d) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, INEC has issued a public notice regarding the outcome of the petition. This notice has been shared with the presiding officer of the Senate and is available on the Commission’s website and social media platforms for public information.

The public notice includes a detailed summary of the review of the signatures and thumbprints, broken down by Local Government Areas. Olumekun explained, “We ensured that the petitioners met all submission requirements. We notified the member sought to be recalled in writing, copied the presiding officer of the Senate, and simultaneously published the notice on our website.”

“Finally, we carefully ascertained the number of signatures and thumbprints to confirm compliance with the law. This exercise has now been completed, and the results are clear: the petition does not meet the constitutional requirements.”

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With this decision, the recall process against Senator Natasha Akpoti has officially come to an end. INEC remains committed to upholding democratic principles and ensuring that all electoral processes in Nigeria are conducted fairly and transparently.